. >> the united states condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. >> reporter: riots preceded the deaths, first in ki yo, then in benghazi, syria's number two city, well known to chris stephens. he was there when u.s. air raids prevented a massacre by moammar gadhafi. stephens reportedly braved the otto evacuate his people. >> he risked his life to stop a tyrant, then gave his life trying to help build a better libya. >> reporter: why the riots? clips had flooded the internet of an amateurish anti-muslim movie said to be made in the u.s. as flags were lowered in washington, the tragedy went political. >> an apology for america's values is never the right course. >> reporter: mitt romney blamed president obama for a statement by the u.s. embassy in cairo before the murders in libya, criticizing the anti-muslim movement. >> we express immediately when we feel that the president and his administration have done something which is consistent with the principles of america. >> reporter: president obama reiterated his principles. >> we reject all efforts to denigrate